Page 32 of Until Then

In the audience, Carter is sitting next to my other face. Rees mocks me by pretending to cry. I resist the urge to flip him off. That tyrant of a photographer is going wild again and would probably find a way to strangle me with his camera strap.

One by one, the wedding party zippers into our exit line. When it’s time for me to offer an arm for Hayley, I catch sight ofthe tears in her eyes. She lifts her gaze and for a moment it’s as though we both feel the same thing—pure happiness.

She’s grinning, wide and bright, like she might burst into tears of joy or fits of laughter.

Almost like we’re feeling the same thing.

I hold out my arm and she doesn’t even hesitate or offer a look of warning to keep my words to myself.

I’ll take it as a win.

We follow the procession into the hall, all to be shoved aside by our resident dictator so he can capture the happy couple’s second kiss as husband and wife.

Hayley hugs her middle. “It was perfect.”

I smile down at her, hearing the small catch in her voice. “It was.”

“You ever want to get married, Pretty Boy?”

To hear the nickname finally escape her lips brings a bit too much satisfaction. I feel like a supplicant, kneeling at her feet, simply waiting for her to hand out the slightest endearments.

Pathetic.

And I can’t find much motivation to care.

“I wouldn’t mind it,” I say after a long pause. “With the right person, obviously.”

“Someone with the ability to handle your oversized ego.”

“It’s number one on my list of requirements. What about you?”

Hayley lets out a sigh, it’s heavy and whimsical all at once. Like she’s trying to daydream, but reality is causing a roadblock. “I don’t know. My last attempt didn’t go so well.”

“Because he’s a douche, Wildfire.” My tone is too hard for a truce. It gives up too much, all jagged and feral.

I’d do it all over again if it earned the smile splitting her lips right now.

Hayley tucks a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Strange, but I actually agree with you.” She pops one shoulder, watching Tyrell cup Briar’s cheeks like he can’t get enough of his wife’s face. “Maybe I’m an idiot since I haven’t had success and haven’t seen much success, honestly, but I still believe in the romance of it. You know, the idea of finding your person, a partner who knows all your sides. Good or bad.”

Would I ever show her the bad?

Better question—would she accept it?

I start to respond but hands gripping my shoulders cut me off. Carter shakes me, practically shoving between me and Hayley like a clueless bull. “Did you see number three?”

“What?” I shake him off.

Carter drags his fingers through his hair. It’s grown longer since filming. He won’t need to match mine until the season begins. His grows much darker when he’s off the dyes.

“Number three.” Carter strains his neck, peering toward a small group of the bridesmaids. “She looked at me up there.”

“Mia?” Hayley interjects. “She’s feisty.”

“Single?” Carter folds his arms over his chest, one hand rubbing his jaw.

“I think so.”

“Good enough for me.”

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